Disclaimer: I don't work for Wilson Staff. Even though, the only posts and reviews I've had this year are about Wilson Staff products, I want to be clear that I have no bias.

About me: I'm 60, and my best days are long behind me. I've actually given up major tinkering, and only play around with my back-up set now, just for fun really. I've done reviews, (search), of the Wilson C300 3 wood, hybrid, and driver. I know that hardly anyone on here will be interested in Wilson products, but I truly feel they are making some of the best stuff out there right now. The C300 3 wood, and hybrid are in my bag, but the driver was just too low spinnning for me, and since sound/feel are really big issues for me, while improved, it was just too loud as well. Saying that, on to my review.

I've played the Cortex for 2 rounds. My first round was with the stock shaft from the C300. Didn't want to post a review after that round as I wasn't swinging well at all throughout Before my next round, I installed an Elements Chrome. It's a very nice looking shaft I might add, and had no other use for it.

Looks: Right from the first time I saw the Cortex in stores, I thought it was the best looking driver I'd seen in quite awhile. My current back-up is a Bridgestone J715, which is a stellar driver. I would never sell it. Awesome in every way. The Cortex looks very similar to it, just slightly larger.

Sound: I know this is very subjective. It's also something that's very important so some, and not at all to others. I'm the former. The Cortex is a huge improvement over the C300. Sound is really dependent on the type of ball you're using as well now. Even my J715 which is super muted and soft, sounds more metallic with a hard ball. I was using a Bridgestone tour b-rxs in my first round. The sound is somewhat typical for a titanium/carbon driver. Then I switched to a Wilson Duo Professional, which is my ball of choice this year. Huge improvement. Much quieter, in fact just about perfect. ( Did I mention that I don't work for WIlson?).

Distance: Really not sure. I flushed a couple that I thought were bombs, but ended up in very typical spots. What I can say for sure is, it's definitely as long as anything I've had.

Accuracy: Much better with the Elements shaft. Very straight. Easier to fade than draw, in fact, I never lost one left.

Adjustments: Fair. i didn't see a huge difference with the forward/back weight, and I had the heavier weight in the heel, so no idea if I switched them. I personally like to have control of the lie angle. The Cortex only allows for face angle as loft changes.

Overall: I highly recommend this driver to just about anyone. As with any driver, if you marry it up with the right shaft, it would be a great addition to anyones bag. There has been one price drop, but it will keep coming down. If it gets to $299, then well worth it. $199 would be a steal.

Nice review. I’ve tried other Wilson drivers and while very good just always lacking somewhere. I haven’t hit the cortex but it is a good looking club to my eye. Their irons are some of the best though...no doubt there at all.

With your name, you should be reviewing Cleveland equipment.

Wilson makes feminine napkins?.

Wilson has always made fine irons, wedges, and the 8802. Drivers not as successful.

Been liking my m6 but hit a c300 I’ve got for sale and forgot how good it was”to me “! Only thing is the sound is loud. Have a Cortex and think it’s a great driver. Pricy at time of rollout, but who’s not anymore. If it’d said Callaway or TM on it, people would’ve tried and liked it. Wilson Staff makes great products as of late!

> @boggyman said:

> Been liking my m6 but hit a c300 I’ve got for sale and forgot how good it was”to me “! Only thing is the sound is loud. Have a Cortex and think it’s a great driver. Pricy at time of rollout, but who’s not anymore. If it’d said Callaway or TM on it, people would’ve tried and liked it. Wilson Staff makes great products as of late!

It was only as good as most drivers on the market and not better than the g400 line which was discounted at the time. I can guarantee if it said Callaway I wouldn’t have tried it.

I liked and still like mine better than the 400 series Ping had. Had a 400 series Ping that wouldn’t beat my Cortex, in “my” hands at least. I loved the G and G30 series though but that’s another topic. > @GoGoErky said:

> > @boggyman said:

> > Been liking my m6 but hit a c300 I’ve got for sale and forgot how good it was”to me “! Only thing is the sound is loud. Have a Cortex and think it’s a great driver. Pricy at time of rollout, but who’s not anymore. If it’d said Callaway or TM on it, people would’ve tried and liked it. Wilson Staff makes great products as of late!

>

> It was only as good as most drivers on the market and not better than the g400 line which was discounted at the time. I can guarantee if it said Callaway I wouldn’t have tried it.

today was first day i tried it out since got it tgw $335---nice and straight --light, length 45-whats not to like

OP here,

So glad to see that this thread got this many replies!!! I wouldn't have been surprised at all if it didn't garner any attention at all. I hope some will recognize Wilson as being right up there with any other major brand. I've never really had a particular brand loyalty. Perhaps Titleist and Bridgestone to a small degree, but I could literally play an entire bag of Wilson Staff including the bag right now.

> @launcher said:

> OP here,

> So glad to see that this thread got this many replies!!! I wouldn't have been surprised at all if it didn't garner any attention at all. I hope some will recognize Wilson as being right up there with any other major brand. I've never really had a particular brand loyalty. Perhaps Titleist and Bridgestone to a small degree, but I could literally play an entire bag of Wilson Staff including the bag right now.

As most people could. Wilson clubs slowly but surely took over the top end of my bag. First a D300 driver and then retro Fybrid fairways. My irons are safe for now but those FG wedges have my mizunos nervous! When the Cortex comes down into the $100 range on the used market I’m going to try it out.

Everything Wilson has done lately I’m in love with. (OK that I mean the C300 line I play — the D7 stuff may be a little overboard). I’m not paid by them either

> @trapsmv15 said:

> Everything Wilson has done lately I’m in love with. (OK that I mean the C300 line I play — the D7 stuff may be a little overboard). I’m not paid by them either

Just when I thought WIlson might offer me a contract, after looking at your sig. they'll definitely be contacting you first.

Just a minor update. 3rd round today with the Cortex. Absolutely no regrets on this driver. I'm not sure if it's the performance or the looks with the Elements Chrome shaft, but whichever the reason, it has turned out to be a very good purchase. If i had to make one criticism, it would be that misses don't feel that great. I hit some really solid drives today, and distance wise, while not any longer than anything else I've hit, it gets it out there enough. If I had to do a head to head with my 917, I would say the 917 is a better driver overall, and longer as well. Considering that the Cortex started out in someones garage, it's not too far off though.

Slight resurrection here: I've now played numerous rounds with the Cortex. This driver has continued to impress. I've improved the feel by pairing it with the Wilson Duo Professional ball. The sound with this ball is quite a lot better. I've hit some really impressive drives with this, and would say while I didn't think It rivaled my 917, I would now say that it's every bit as good in every category. I continue to enjoy the C300 3 wood and hybrid as well. Both clubs are very good, but the hybrid is the only one that doesn't compare at all with my 818h2. The Titleist is by far a superior hybrid. The C300 is fine, but just launches a bit on the low side. Anyway, just want to recommend the Cortex to just about any handicapper. The prices should be coming down very soon.

I recently picked up a Cortex with a Atmos Black 7x shaft in it for $150 still in wrapper! So far on the simulator and trackman it is out performing my G400 LST. I love the sound, performance and the looks as well as the price! Can't wait to get it on the course in a few weeks when league starts.

Your G400 LST must not have been a good fit for you. Get fitted for your next driver for optimal results. That way an off the rack driver with its stock shaft doesn’t outperform the driver you’re playing.

The g400 is not off the shelf and is a good fit for me, Speeder VC 7.3 x shaft and all. I just like how the Cortex looks and sounds better than the g400 and the Atmos black tour spec 7x shaft is not your typical run of the mill stock shaft!! It is not like I don't like the g400 though and is one of the best I have had. It is not going anywhere and is ready to go back in the bag if the Cortex misbehaves! I bought the Cortex as a backup just to try it and I liked it so much it found its way into to my gamer bag. I have been fit before and I know what works best for me without getting fit for every driver I try. It is more fun to be a club Ho than getting fit anyway :-)

I actually meant that the other way around. The off the rack cortex beat your G400! This why I assumed the G400 wasn’t a good fit.

But I do agree. Buying new clubs is fun. Having options is fun. Hoard away!

I'm already sold